Support assembly for fixtures or the like



July 4, 1967 H. G. FISCHER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR FIXTURES OR THE LIKE Filed June 25, 1965 F'Glll 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HARRY G. FISCHER ATTORN J July 4, 1967 H. G. FISCHER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR FIXTURES OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet "llii" INVENTOR HARRY G.FISCHER Filed June 25, 1965 52 FIG .l2 WW0, FIG. u. I .ATTOR Y5 3,329,387 SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR FIXTURES OR THE LIKE Harry G. Fischer, Covington, Ky. (402 S. Liberty, R0. Box 69, Falmouth, Ky. 41040) Filed June 25, 1965, Ser. No. 466,944 14 Claims. (Cl. 248342) This invention relates to a support assembly for fixtures or the like pending from a suspended paneled or grid-type ceiling.

In the erection of suspended paneled or grid-type ceilings, heavy fixtures have heretofore been hung by spanning parallel T bar members of the suspended ceiling with a wooden board laid across the top of the T bars. An electrical box or the like is then secured to the board and the fixture connected thereto. This arrangement has proven unsuccessful in use because of the tendency of the unsecured board to raise up while attempting to connect the fixture in place, thereby considerably complicating the operation. Additionally it has been found that the fixture may not be tightened securely against the movable ceiling panels, with consequent rotational movement of the loose fixture, due to vibration, etc. Furthermore, the

gap between the ceiling panel and fixture allows air currents to pass therebetween, with the result that over a period of time, dirt streaks appear on that portion of the panel adjacent the gap.

It is an object of this invention to provide a rigid assembly for the support of fixtures or the like, particularly adapted for attachment to conventional components of a suspended paneled or grid-type ceiling, which assembly permits the fixture to be readily secured in place in contiguous relationship with the ceiling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rigid support assembly for attachment between parallelly arranged inverted main T bars of suspended ceilings, the assembly including inverted secondary T bars spanning the main T bars, clip supports fixedly securing the secondary T bars to the main T bars, and a hanger pendently supported from the secondary T bar to which a fixture is attached.

Other objects are to provide a support assembly of the character described, wherein a clip support includes a main clip and a secondary clip in a fixed right angle relationship, the secondary clip being adapted for engagement with a terminal of a secondary T bar and the main clip being adapted for engagement with a main T bar, connection of the clip support being effected without the use of tools.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hanger for engagement with a secondary T bar adapted for the secureinent of an electrical outlet box or the like thereto, the box being fixedly secured so that it will not move upwardly, or roll from side to side while the workmen hang the fixture therefrom; to provide a support assembly of the character described which may be adapted for the hanging of either a surface-mounted ceiling fixture, or a recessed fixture, as desired.

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following description of the present preferred forms of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip support constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the application thereof;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a suspended paneled ceiling incorporating the support assembly of the present invention therein;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and show- United States Patent ice ing to advantage the manner of connecting the secondary clip to the main clip;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 55 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the hanger forming a part of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 66 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a modified form of the present clip support; v

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the modified clip support of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 employing the modified clip support of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating a modified form of clamping unit forming a part of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a further modified form of clip support particularly adapted for recessed type fixtures;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a portion of a recessed fixture support, showing that portion of the support adapted for complemental engagement with the clip support of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a recessed fixture assembly constructed in accordance with the modifications of FIGS. 11 and 12.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a support clip constructed in accordance with the present invention. The clip is preferably made of spring metal or other suitable rna terial, and includes a main clip 15 and a secondary clip 16 joined at right angles to the main clip. Main clip 15 is preferably of unitary construction and embodies a pair of plates 17 and 18 of substantially rectangular shape joined at their upper margins by a generally tubular connecting portion 19. The lower terminal of plate 17 is flared outwardly at 20 to facilitate engagement of the main clipwith a T bar. The lower terminal of plate 18 is bent outwardly at right angles to the body portion of the clip 15 to provide a supporting shell 21. Secondary clip 16 comprises opposed plates 22 and 23 of rectangular shape joined at their upper margins by a tubular connecting portion 24. The lower margins of plates 22 and 23 are adapted to engage supporting shelf 21 and the lateral margins of the plates are extended and bent outwardly at right angles as indicated at 25 and 26. Extensions 25 and 26 are positioned in flush engagement with plate 18 of main clip 15, the extensions being spot welded or fixed in any other suitable manner to plate 18.

In connection with the form of invention illustrated in FIG. 1, it will be noted that secondary clip 16 is of substantially greater height than main clip 15 for use of the latter in the surface mounting of fixtures and the like.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated the use of the support clip in conjunction with a conventional inverted main T bar employed in suspended paneled or grid-type ceilings, including a transverse member 27 and a vertical member 28 extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in a knob portion 28a. The main T bar is pendently supported, in conventional fashion, from rafters or beams, by cables 29. It is a salient feature of the present invention to provide a secondary or auxiliary T bar interposed between, and fixedly held 'by the support clips at right angles to spaced parallel main T bars. The secondary T bar is of the same construction as the main T bar and may be scrap pieces of the main T bar, as a result of cutting lengths of the latter to fit a room area.

In the drawings, parts of the secondary T bar are shown to include transverse member 30 and a vertical member 31 terminating in a knob 32.

In order to fixedly connect the main T bars and secondary T bars together, a secondary T bar is cut to span the distance between the spaced, parallel main T bars. Secondary clips 16 of the support clips of the present invention are then secured over the terminal portions of the secondary T bar with knob portion 32 thereof extending through tubular connecting portion 24 and vertical portion 31 clamped between plates22 and 23'. Assembly is completed by driving main clips 15 over the upper portion of the parallel main T bars until knobs 28 of the T bars lie within tubular connecting portions 19 of main clips 15.

It will be noted from a consideration of FIGS. 2 and 3 that secondary clip 16 is substantially the same height as vertical member 31 of the secondary T bar and that main clip 15 extends downwardly only to a point slightly below the center of vertical member 27 of main clip 15. This leaves a space between transverse member 27 and supporting shelf 21 in which ceiling blocks or panels 33 are adapted to be fitted.

It is further within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a fixture hanger supported by the secondary T bar. The hanger is illustrated in FIGS. 3, and 6, and includes a one-piece, wire-like body comprising a pair of divergent legs 34,'the upper extremities of which issue into an arched connecting part 35 which rests on the top of the secondary T bar, as shown to advantage in FIG. 2. The terminal portion of the divergent legs are threaded at 36. An electrical outlet box 37 is provided with spaced openings in the top wall thereof, through which legs 34 pass. It will be noted that from FIG. 5 that outlet box 37 is forced upwardly into engagement with transverse member 30 of the secondary T bar. The extreme lower ends of the legs 34 pend through a clamping unit 38 which includes an elongated plate 39 with openings in the opposite ends thereof through which the lower extremities of the legs extend, the unit having a central stud 40. Clamping unit 38 is forced upwardly by nuts 41 threadedly engaged with the terminals of divergent legs 34. Units 38, in turn, force outlet box 37 upwardly into engagement with the secondary T bar.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 there is illustrated a modified form of c-lip support which is basically similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 and accordingly, similar parts are identified by like, primed numbers. In this form of the invention, however, it will be noted that the height of main clip 15' is the same as the height of secondary clip 16-.

Consequently secondary clip 16' is sleeved over that portion of the secondary T bar which is beyond the proximate edge of transverse member 27' of the main T bar, since said transverse member lies in the same horizontal plane as transverse member 30' of the secondary T bar. Additionally it will be noted from FIG. 9 that the hanger supported by the secondary T bar extends downwardly to a point below ceiling panels 33' for adapting the support assembly for use in supporting canopies 42 or the like, at ceiling level.

In connection with the showing in FIG. 9, there is illustrated a modified form of clamping unit 38' which is further shown in FIG. 10. This unit includes a substantially flat plate 43 provided with opposed spaced openings 44 through which divergent legs 34' are adapted to pass. Adjacent openings 44, are struck portions 45 formed by slits radiating from openings 44. As shown to advantage in FIG. 9, struck portions 45 extend downwardly when the clamping unit is fixed in place, the inner arcuate part of which engages the threaded terminals 36 of legs 34' to fixedly hold the hanger in place after the clamping unit has been positioned on the divergent legs. The modified form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 is also particularly adapted for hanging fluorescent type fixtures.

In the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, there is provided a support assembly particularly adapted for a; recessed type fixture. This assembly includes a clip support comprising a main clip 46 and an auxiliary clip 47. Main clip 46 is similar, in part, to clip 15 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and includes opposed substantially rectangular plates 48 and 49 joined at their upper extremities by a substantially tubular connecting portion 50. The lower margin of plate 48 is flared outwardly at 51 to facilitate engagement of the clip with a T bar. Auxiliary clip 47 includes a substantially U-shaped member comprising a lower wall 52 and an upper wall 53 connected by a transverse portion 54, the latter being spot welded or secured in any other suitable manner to plate 49 of main clip 46. Upper wall 53 is provided with a longitudinally extending inverted V-shaped groove 55. The clip support shown in FIG. 11 is adapted for attachment to a T bar, either main or secondary, which includes a transverse member 56, and vertical member 57 issuing therefrom and terminating in a knob portion 58. A pair of clip supports is mounted in opposed, predetermined spaced relation to the T bars and is adapted for the reception of a recessed light assembly 59. Light assembly 59 includes a base 60' having a central opening 61 superjacent to which is mounted a suitable recessed lighting fixture 62. As shown to advantage in FIG. 12., each lateral margin of base 60 is bent upwardly at right angles to provide a vertical portion 63, the upper terminal of which is bent backwardly in spaced parallel relationship to the body of base 60* to provide a top wall 64, the latter having a longitudinal inverted V-shaped groove forming a crown 65. By means of this structure, there is thereby formed a drawer-like unit which is adapted to be slidably fitted into auxiliary clip 47 from either end thereof, with crowns 65 engaged with complemental grooves 55 of the clip support to fixedly hold recessed light assembly 59 from casual displacement.

With the apparatus of the present invention, there is provided an economical and effective means for securing fixtures in flush engagement with ceiling panels, without danger of accidental displacement, either of the support member, or fixture. With the present arrangement also, the creation of air gaps between the fixture and ceiling are obviated, thereby preventing dirt streaks on the ceiling at the locus of the fixture. With this arrangement also, an outlet box or the like may be readily secured in place by a workman, since the box is held rigidly in place and will not move upward, or roll from side to side while workmen are attempting to hang the fixture. All mechanical connections are tightened to provide a suitable mechanical ground for the fixture.

It will further be noted that the support assembly of the present invention includes a secondary T bar of the same construction as the main T bar, thereby enabling scraps of the main T bar to be employed in conjunction with clip supports for carrying out the objects of the present invention, thereby considerably reducing the costs of the assembly, both from the standpoint of manufacture and shipping.

While there has been herein shown and described preferred forms of the present invention, it is to be understood that various other changes may be made therein, within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. In a suspended, paneled ceiling embodying a parallel, inverted T bars including a vertical portion and a transverse portion, and a support member having a vertical portion extending transversely between the inverted T bars; support clips for securing the transverse support member to said main T bars, each support clip including a pair of clip members disposed at substantially right angles to each other, each of the clip members comprising a plate in substantially flush engagement with the vertical portions of the T bar and support member, means extending from the upper margins of each of said plates over the upper edges of the inverted T bar and support member to secure the support clips thereto, and means for connecting said clip members at substantially right angles to each other.

2. The support member of claim 1, wherein said clip member engaged with the T bar includes a shelf proximate the lower limit of said other clip member, a portion of the transverse support member being adapted for engagement with said shelf.

3. The support member of claim 1, wherein said clip members are of substantially the same height.

4. In a suspended, paneled ceiling embodying parallel, inverted T bars including a vertical portion and a transverse portion, and a support member having a vertical portion extending transversely between the inverted T bars; support clips for securing the transverse support member to the T bars, each support clip including a pair of clip members disposed at right angles to each other, each of the clip members comprising flat plates of substantially rectangular shape in flush engagement with opposite sides of the vertical portions of the inverted T bar and transverse support member, connecting portions extending between the upper limits of said flat plates of said pair of clip members, said connecting portions being in contiguous engagement with the upper edges of the vertical portions of the inverted T bar and transverse support member, and means for fixedly connecting said clip members at substantially right angles to each other..

5. The support clip of claim 4, wherein the clip member engaged with the inverted T bar includes a shelf extending from the lower terminal thereof and proximate the lower limit of said other clip member, said shelf being adapted for supporting engagement with the transverse support member.

6. The support clip of claim 4, wherein said clip members are of substantially the same height.

7. The support assembly of claim 4, with the addition of a hanger engageable with said transverse support member, the hanger comprising a pair of legs connected at the upper ends for positioning on said transverse support member, the lower ends of said legs being divergent, a fixture-supporting clamping unit engageable with the lower terminals of said legs, and means for fixedly holding said fixture-supporting clamping unit in place.

8. In a suspended, paneled ceiling embodying spaced,

parallel, inverted main T bars; a support assembly for hanging fixtures between the T bars, said assembly including a secondary inverted T bar between said main T bars, clip supports connected to the terminals of the secondary T bar, a portion of each clip support being engaged with one of said main T bars to prevent relative movement between said main T bars and said secondary T bar, and a hanger engaged with said secondary T bar, the hanger comprising a pair of legs connected at the upper ends for positioning on said secondary T bar, the lower ends of said legs being divergent to straddle the transverse member of said secondary T bar, and clamping means engageable with the lower terminal of said T bar for fixedly securing the hanger in place.

9. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein the lower portions of said legs are threaded, and a fixture-supporting clamping unit is engaged with the lower terminals of said legs, said clamping unit including a spaced opening through which said legs extend, and means threadedly engaged with the terminals of said legs for tightening said clamping unit.

10. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein the lower terminals of said legs are threaded, and a fixture-supporting clamping unit is engaged with the lower terminals of said legs, the clamping unit including a plate having spaced openings through which the terminals of said legs extend, and downwardly struck portions adjacent the openings and engaged with the threaded portions of said legs to fixedly secure the hanger in position.

11. In a suspended, paneled ceiling embodying spaced, parallel, inverted main T bars and an inverted, secondary T bar extending between said spaced, parallel main T bars, said main and secondary T bars including verti cal portions and transverse portions; support clips for securing the transverse support member to said main T bars, each support clip being of unitary construction and including a main clip for engagement with the inverted T bar and a secondary clip for engagement with the transverse secondary T bar, said main and secondary clips including spaced, opposed plates of substantially rectangular shape, a tubular connecting portion joining the upper margins of said plates, said tubular connecting portion complementing, and being in contiguous engagement with the upper margins of the vertical portions of the main and secondary T bars, and means for connecting said main and secondary clips at right angles to each other.

12. The support clips of claim 11, wherein the lateral margins at one end of the plates of the secondary clip are extended and bent outwardly at right angles, and means for fixing said extended portions of the secondary clip plates to one of said rectangular plates of said main clip.

13. The support clips of claim 12, wherein a shelf extends outwardly at right angles from the lower margin of said main clip in proximate relationship to the lower terminal of said secondary clip.

14. The support clips of claim 12, wherein said main clip and said secondary clip are of substantially the same height.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,136,531 4/1915 Hunt 248342 2,503,859 4/1950 Webber 248-302 2,990,921 7/1961 Wilde 52-495 X 3,039,729 6/1962 Nagle 248-343 3,081,398 3/1963 Karth 248--343 X 3,086,626 4/1963 Bowers 52495 X 3,104,087 9/1963 Budnick et a1. 24 8343 3,216,537 11/1965 Nelsson 52484 X OTHER REFEREN CES Guglielmino, British printed specification No. 493,129; published Dec. 30, 1936.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Examiner.

R. P. SEITTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A SUSPENDED, PANELED CEILING EMBODYING A PARALLEL, INVERTED T BARS INCLUDING A VERTICAL PORTION AND A TRANSVERSE PORTION, AND A SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A VERTICAL PORTION EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY BETWEEN THE INVERTED T BARS; SUPPORT CLIPS FOR SECURING THE TRANSVERSE SUPPORT MEMBER TO SAID MAIN T BARS, EACH SUPPORT CLIP INCLUDING A PAIR OF CLIP MEMBERS DISPOSED AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES TO EACH OTHER, EACH OF THE CLIP MEMBERS COMPRISING A PLATE IN SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH ENGAGEMENT WITH THE VERTICAL PORTIONS OF THE T BAR AND SUPPORT MEMBER, MEANS EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER MARGINS OF EACH OF SAID PLATES OVER THE UPPER EDGES OF THE INVERTED T BAR AND SUPPORT MEMBER TO SECURE THE SUPPORT CLIPS THERETO, AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID CLIP MEMBERS AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES TO EACH OTHER. 